LONE RANGER
Barton’s future unresolved but exit door set to open in January
RANGERS are poised to finally end Joey Barton’s Rangers suspension — but only in order to ready him for a January exit.
The errant Liverpudlian emerged from a disciplinary meeting at Ibrox yesterday with his future still unresolved after a financial settlement could not be reached.
Barton is in the sixth week of a suspension which stemmed from a training-ground bust-up with midfielder Andy Halliday and manager Mark Warburton following a 5-1 defeat to Celtic in September.
It’s understood Rangers have been unable to construct a solid case for instant dismissal against the player and that the delicate financial situation means paying up the remainder of his two-year deal was never a viable option.
The player left the 70-minute meeting with his suspension still in place.
Sportsmail understands, however, that while the 34-year-old has played his last game for Warburton, Rangers are poised to offer him the chance to train with their development squad ahead of a parting of
the ways in January — with a return to Sean Dyche’s Burnley on a free transfer being mooted. The 34-year-old midfielder, who arrived at the stadium wearing a suit and club tie and accompanied by his agent Eddie Jennings, declined to comment. It’s understood managing director Stewart Robertson and representatives of the club’s HR department also attended. The upshot is that the player remains suspended with the club now taking stock of his input to the meeting before deciding on its next move. No further meeting has yet been scheduled. It’s likely, however, that the player will soon be allowed to get himself fit again — well away from the glare of Warburton and his firstteam squad. Warburton’s anger at the player’s conduct towards Halliday during a team meeting was increased by Barton’s refusal to apologise during a subsequent unsanctioned live radio interview. Upon signing for Rangers in June, the one-time England international claimed he would prove himself to be the best player in Scotland but he failed to make any impact in the eight appearances he has made to date with the Ibrox side. Despite being told to stay away from the club, Barton has stated repeatedly that he wants to return and fight for his place. Reports also claimed he had even flown to Qatar to take part in a boot camp designed to have him operating at peak fitness ahead of his return to Warburton’s first-team squad. Barton has also been charged by the Scottish Football Association over allegations he placed 44 bets on games between July 1 and September 15 this year — in contravention of their rules.